Swansea looking to start international student exchange program at Case High School

Monday

Feb 3, 2014 at 11:38 PMFeb 3, 2014 at 11:47 PM

Deborah Allard Herald News Staff Reporter @debsallard

SWANSEA — The Swansea School Department is exploring the possibility of starting an international student exchange program at the high school.

The program, offered by the Cambridge Institute of International Education in Waltham, would bring students from China to Joseph Case High School.

The program would start small with perhaps five or so students who would stay with host families in town.

The department would be paid approximately $10,000 in tuition for each student. Host families would receive a monthly stipend of $500 to $700.

Superintendent Robert Monteiro said the Cambridge Institute recently met with School Committee members. He said the department must go through an application process that would involve Homeland Security. The one-time application fee is $2,355 plus about $700 for a site visit.

Case High School Principal Brian McCann said in the past the school has hosted exchange students from Europe, South America, Asia and beyond. But it wasn't a formal exchange program.

Monteiro said there was a possibility that students from Swansea may be able to take part in the exchange program and study abroad in the future.

"I think it's going to benefit the town," School Committee Chairman James Carvalho said on Monday.

School Committee Vice Chairman Joseph Salpietro said at a previous meeting that the program was "worth exploring" and that it would "benefit our students."

The students coming from China would be able to speak English well enough to go to public school. A support system would be provided by the Cambridge Institute.

"It's a great opportunity," Monteiro said.

The Cambridge Institute, according to its website, has worked with more than 200 schools in 40 states to create international programs that bring diverse groups of students to high schools across the United States.

The institute's goal is to increase the international profile of American schools and to promote cultural exchange by cultivating relationships with youth in "countries with mature, burgeoning and rapidly changing economies."